Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Restaurant-Quality, One-Pot Recipe)
This velvety smooth tomato basil soup rivals your favorite bistro’s version, ready in just 45 minutes.
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dietary: Vegetarian (not vegan)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
- Immersion blender (or regular blender)
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Alternative: Regular blender works fine if you don’t have an immersion blender.
INGREDIENTS
Base
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 2 medium onions, diced (about 2 cups)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 x 28oz (794g) cans crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 2 tbsp dried)
Seasonings
- 1½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan
- Extra basil and cream for garnish
METHOD
- Melt butter in your pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until soft and translucent (8-10 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Pour in tomatoes, broth, basil, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and blend until completely smooth.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan, warming through for 5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t skip the sugar – it balances the tomato acidity.
- When blending hot soup, work in batches and vent the lid.
- Use room temperature cream to prevent curdling.
- Fresh basil makes a huge difference – add extra at the end.
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze without cream for up to 3 months.
Common Mistakes:
- Adding cold cream (causes curdling).
- Overblending (makes soup too thin).
- Skipping the simmer time (flavors need to develop).
Variations:
- Add roasted red peppers for extra depth.
- Stir in tortellini for a heartier meal.
- Top with crispy croutons or grilled cheese croutons.
This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results every time. The key is quality ingredients and patience during the simmering stage – don’t rush it!
